Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) makes a catch in bounds next to the sidelines. Ohio State beat Kent State 59-3 on Sept. 19, 2026. Credit: Cassandra D’Angelo | Sport Photo Editor.
Leading 7-0 in the first quarter, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin found Jeremiah Smith cutting across the field on first-and-10
Smith hauled in the pass, broke a tackle and turned a 10-yard catch into a 23-yard gain.
It moved the chains–and moved Smith into the Ohio State record book.
With the reception, Smith became the program’s career leader in receiving yards, passing Michael Jenkins’ previous mark of 2,898.
“It means a lot to me,” Smith said in a press conference after the game, “I put a lot of work into it, I bring it every game, and I am blessed.?
Jenkins’ record stood for 23 years, surviving the careers of Ohio State standouts and first-round NFL draft picks including Emeka Egbuka, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Carnell Tate.
It took Smith just 33 games to set the receiving record, five less than Jenkins.
Although Smith broke one program receiving record Saturday, two more are within reach. He is six away from Chris Olave’s mark of 35 touchdowns and 21 shy of Emeka Egbuka 205 receptions.
“Just [want to] leave a legacy,” Smith said. “The biggest emphasis this season is leaving [the program] better than [I] found it.”
Smith has been one of the top wide receivers in college football since his freshman year, in which he was named an All-American, the Big Ten Wide Receiver of the Year and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.?
His 1,315 yards in 2024 ranks as the third-most by a freshman in college football history.?
Smith also was the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the 2024 Rose Bowl, where he finished with 187 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-21 Ohio State victory over Oregon. Three weeks later, the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame for the National Championship.
Smith credits his success at Ohio State on a simple mindset: make plays and contribute at every possible opportunity.
“I don’t think it’s my expectations [that brought this success],” he said. ”I just wanted to come in as a freshman and make plays.”
Head coach Ryan Day said Smith may be the best wide receiver to play at Ohio State.
“It’s hard to put anybody above him,” Day said.
